Category Archives: Inspirational Quotes

6 Reasons why Affirmations don’t Work

Posted in Affirmations, Goals, Inspiration, Inspirational Quotes, New Year's Resolutions, Spirituality by
Image courtesy of phanlop88, published on 25 November 2013, from http://www.freedigitalphotos.net

Image courtesy of phanlop88, published on 25 November 2013, from http://www.freedigitalphotos.net

Affirmations are a great spiritual and mental modality that help center your intentions and speak to Higher Source on what you have and what you are bringing into your physical reality. It is a bridge from the sub-conscious to the conscious. When your affirmations are in alignment with what you want – which is to feel great in all areas of your life – they help to shape your thoughts  and shift the “now you” into the “new you.” Here’s a list of ways to sabotage the effectiveness of affirmations and three quick tips to overcome these roadblocks.

6 Reasons why affirmations don’t work:

  1. Setting unrealistic or highly ambitious affirmations.
  2. Limiting beliefs that need to be rooted out so new belief systems can planted. An example of a limiting belief is “you have to work hard in order to deserve more money.”
  3. Listening to others on why affirmations don’t work. Many people will say they do not work, but it could be the naysayers were too ambitious, or perhaps they rarely said or believed them, resulting in failed results.
  4. Failure to say them on a regular basis.
  5. Failure to adjust your affirmations as your life changes (for the better!).
  6. Failing to believe what it is you are affirming.

2 Tips to Ensure Success with your Affirmations:

  1. Have your affirmations represent being in that which you are affirming. Use words, such as “I AM” “I HAVE” and if necessary, “I WILL.” This is not a hard and fast rule, as there are some that do not start with those beginnings, such as my favorite affirmation, “I BEGIN and END my jobs on my own terms.”
  2. Give yourself room to grow in your affirmations.” For example, saying “I am a millionaire” will likely not resonate with you as much as “I am EVOLVING into a millionaire” or “I am evolving into a CEO of a successful company”. The subtle difference is the word “evolving.” It denotes you are moving toward millionaire status, but acknowledges you’re not there yet. The other example is “I work out everyday.” That sets a person who is just starting a workout regimen up for failure. Instead, say “I am healthy, fit and find ways to incorporate health and wellbeing in my day.” No matter what, believe your affirmation as fact, even if you may not be experiencing it yet.
  3. Be patient. It is important to  be patient with yourself as you play with the affirmations modality. If you don’t see results right away, that’s okay. Oftentimes, we are unable to see what has already started manifesting in our life, hidden amongst all the things we do and don’t desire. Allow the blessings to come in their own time and trust they will.  

~Your Curator of All things Inspirational, Kimberly Jo Cooley

5 Reasons Why Positive Affirmations WORK!

Posted in Affirmations, Goals, Inspiration, Inspirational Quotes, Spirituality, Uncategorized by
Image courtesy of Janaka Dharmasena, published on 04 January 2012, fromhttp://www.freedigitalphotos.net

Image courtesy of Janaka Dharmasena, published on 04 January 2012, from http://www.freedigitalphotos.net

We know negative affirmations work, because we can look around at all the pain and suffering amongst us and see them at work. What about positive affirmations? Here are five reasons positive affirmations work:

  1. When affirmations are created by the person saying them, they have more power and resonate more within that person. Come up with personal “I AM” affirmations you can use everyday.
  2. When believed and said on a regular basis, positive affirmations can change your whole outlook on a situation, therefore raising your vibration to a place of receiving that which you are positively affirming.
  3. Positive affirmations over time will curb and replace negative limiting beliefs.
  4. Positive affirmations are a quick way to center your thoughts during non-stressful times, such as during guided meditation, and stressful times, like when your boss sends you an email with a subject line, “we need to talk, meet me in my office.”
  5. Positive affirmations said in the morning will help steer your day towards what you’re affirming.

The Universe is ready and waiting to answer your affirmations with a resounding YES. What positive affirmation do you use to get you in a high vibrational frequency?

~Your Curator of all things Inspirational, Kimberly Jo Cooley

I Begin and End a Job On My Own Terms

Posted in Affirmations, Inspiration, Inspirational Quotes, Uncategorized, Work Life by
Image courtesy of xedos4, published on 29 May 2011, from http://www.freedigitalphotos.net

Image courtesy of xedos4, published on 29 May 2011, from http://www.freedigitalphotos.net

The Affirmation: I always begin and end my jobs on my own terms.

You may read the above affirmation, and think that it doesn’t apply to you. Perhaps you were fired or downsized, or you’re stuck in a dead-end job. This affirmation is exactly for you. It will transform your experience, the essence of who you are as an employee and it will bring about a change so deep, every employer will want to hire you.

Many of us will be working the majority of our lives, so it’s no wonder it consumes a good portion of our mental and physical space each day. Some of us have jobs that leave us feeling drained, unappreciated, unfulfilled, and under compensated. The easy answer is to leave a job, but many times, that’s not an easy option to do.

I was in a dark place four years ago in my own work life. I was working long hours as a claims adjuster, and feeling like I never could get caught up at work, and even if I did, I always felt like someone was dissatisfied with my job performance. The job market was shaky, and I felt stuck and depressed that I could not find a better job. During this time, I was on a “performance counseling” write-up and there were times I wished the boss would put me out of my misery and fire me. Yet, I was conflicted. I was a single mother at the time and had kids to feed, a mortgage to pay and health insurance to keep.

I began a spiritual journey and realized I had a choice in the matter. I could wallow in my misery, turn my destiny over to the managers to fire me, or I could take charge of my work life and turn it around. I recalled how I always used to say, “I always begin and end my jobs on my own terms – no matter what.” I said it once again, believed and  things drastically changed for me.

I began to feel a positive shift in how people approached me. My workload became manageable and organized, even when the volume increased. I was the experienced go-to person both managers and fellow employees reached out to. I got off performance write-up and instead, was given great annual reviews. I began to share ideas, instead of feeling reluctant to share my opinions with others. I searched other job postings within the company and found a job much more suitable for me. I applied for the new job twice, but the second time was offered a position. In a matter of a couple of years,  I turned my work life around, all because I realized that I really could begin and end a job on my own terms.

I was not settling. Instead, I was embracing where I was in my experience and realizing that I do have a say. I wrote short and long-term goals, both professional and personal. I realized I loved writing and wanted more of that in my life. I found what I was looking for, a job that allowed me to write a lot more and it still utilized my fourteen years of claims experience, which was more than I thought I could ever have. The new job was a lateral move, but in time, I got a much better raise and a quick promotion.  I would not be in the place I am now, had it not been for the affirmation above.

I’ve seen friends and co-workers fired or laid off from jobs. At first, it may seem like they did not leave a job on their own terms. But in closer review, and as time revealed, the termination was the best thing that could have happened to them and they ultimately found better jobs that were more suited for them.

The beauty of affirmations is if you believe in what you are affirming, the Universe will make it happen. Always believe there is a greater, higher plan unfolding for you. Chances are, if you said that affirmation above, it would be you choosing to leave the company rather than the company choosing to let you go.

~Your Curator of all things Inspirational, Kimberly Jo Cooley

Leaving Life on the Table

Posted in Goals, Inspiration, Inspirational Quotes, New Year's Resolutions by
Image courtesy of Grant Cochrane, published on 10 February 2013 Stock Photo - image ID: 100139008, from http://www.freedigitalphotos.net

Image courtesy of Grant Cochrane, published on 10 February 2013
Stock Photo – image ID: 100139008, from http://www.freedigitalphotos.net

Here’s the familiar expression – “leaving money on the table” and its definition: leave (something) on the table v. phr. to refrain from taking the utmost advantage of something; to not address every aspect of a situation; in the form leave money on the table, to negotiate a deal that is less financially beneficial than is expected or possible. (source: Double-Tongued Dictionary).

You’ve probably seen this phenomenon occur when negotiating a settlement, a new car deal, buying or renting a new home, or a new job offer.

Well, how about leaving life on the table? That’s what we do when we play small, don’t take chances, allow fear to take over, try to keep up with the Jones and live our lives the way others feel is best…we leave life on the table, when there’s so much more we can juice from our life experience.

Here’s a short list of how to juice all you can from life, leaving nothing on the table:

  1. Spend some time each day pondering what it is you want for the following day, week, year and even the rest of your life. This is not a long endeavor – a couple of minutes can truly change your life experience from blah to amazing. Some people journal what they want, while others just daydream away. Envision the life you want and take steps towards moving towards it. It is your imagination that you draw your goals and dreams from…imagine, daydream, manifest.
  2. Life’s full of choices – how do we choose? Especially in “real time” with all the advents of technology? Take a moment to feel how a particular choice resonates with you. Do you feel peace with one over the other choice? Are you doing something out “keeping up with the Jones” syndrome or out of obligation? Is there a choice that allows you to embrace it wholeheartedly? If not, why? Take a moment to think about the choices you’re making to make sure it is in alignment with your dreams and goals. Do not compromise on taking a moment – that is definitely one way to leave life on the table by making hasty decisions. Successful attorneys know how to do this step well – they will walk out of negotiations and come back to the table when they’ve had a chance to consider an offer. Begin to exercise this in your life. You’re worth it!
  3. What’s life without a little risk? Take a chance! Yes, we all have responsibilities, but what is a life without a bigger-than-ourselves dream to run towards? Please take a moment to think about what makes you happy and see how you can bring even five minutes of that joy into your life. For me, it’s writing and I’ve found ways to slide it into my hectic schedule. Take the time for your dreams, otherwise, you are definitely leaving life on the table.
  4. Plan a vacation. Get away and enjoy yourself. Just the act of planning a vacation is a joyous occasion. Each paycheck, I set aside $25.00 towards my vacation fund and I’ve already funded a science camp trip for my son. Next trip? A girls’ road trip from Northern California to Oregon, to attend the annual tulip festival – there will be laughs and lots of memories created, and I manifested it by taking a moment to focus in on what I truly want out of life.

This list is not exhaustive, but it is a start to taking steps on owning your earthly experience and leaving nothing in this life on the table.

~Your Curator of all things Inspirational, Kimberly Jo Cooley

A Blessing for You and Me

Posted in Inspiration, Inspirational Quotes, Spirituality, Uncategorized by
Image courtesy of SOMMAI, published on 28 December 2012, from http://www.freedigitalphotos.net

Image courtesy of SOMMAI, published on 28 December 2012, from http://www.freedigitalphotos.net

I am a blessing to all who come into contact with me and in turn, everyone who come’s into contact with me is a pure blessing in my life.

When you’re in traffic jams or standing in line, look at the people around you. Are they troubled? Happy? Crying? Laughing? Singing? Notice them and then say a quick prayer to bless them, such as, “May God bless that person, my sister/brother with peace and abundance today.” This is particularly helpful if a rogue driver cuts you off and your instinct is to road rage and curse them out. Instead, say a quiet prayer for them.

You truly are a blessing and probably touch many peoples’ lives, which is why it comes back to you in the form of a good, happy life. Find small ways to be a blessing in just one person’s life, and you will soon find there are many small acts of love you can show a stranger, a co-worker, a friend, a family member. Next thing you know, you’ve touched not just one person’s life, but several in one day!  

If each of us exercised this power of blessing one another, sharing just a small piece of ourselves freely, the world will become a generous, more loving place. Let the blessings begin with you. The Universe will bless you, because that is the Way.  When we stop sharing and giving, we stunt the Universe’s flow in returning those blessings to us. The circle of love begins and ends with you.

Your Curator of All things Inspirational, Kimberly Jo Cooley

Going Backwards while Learning to Ride Life

Posted in Inspiration, Inspirational Quotes, Spirituality by
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Image courtesy of By arztsamui, published on 09 November 2012, from http://www.freedigitalphotos.net

Many people first learn to ride bikes and trikes backwards, instead of moving forward, much like many people’s approach to moving from stage to stage in life. In life, people may go backwards for seconds, days or years, but the lessons learned while moving backwards are just as important as if they were riding forward the whole time. Others need a push, while others do the heavy lifting and push the bike with their feet. There are some people who first ride with their feet off the pedals.

There is no right or wrong way to learning how to ride a bicycle or life. Appreciate your individual way of navigating your unique life’s journey.

-Curator of all things Inspirational, Kimberly Jo Cooley